Johnstown property projects set

JOHNSTOWN – Facade and masonry improvements, signs, painting and replacement of doors and windows are among more than $345,000 worth of work planned by seven downtown properties taking part in the city’s NY Main Street Grant Program.

City Engineer Chandra Cotter on Tuesday made public what the city considers the “anticipated” scope of work by building owners who last spring were awarded money from a $200,000 grant the city received late last year.

The NY Main Street Grant Program, headed by the state Office of Community Renewal, provides money from the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corp.

Projects were graded on which ones would have the “maximum impact” downtown. Of those selected for awards, the Brenner Group LLC, 17 W. Main St., had the highest score with 54 points. The project by Linda S. Joseph Inc., 19 W. Main St., had the lowest score of 45.

Nick Kollar said today he is one of four people who wants to renovate the building at 1-5 W. Main St. He and his brother Jeff Kollar own the building. Nick Kollar works for C.T. Male, one of the tenants. He said the other tenants are Ferguson & Foss Surveyors, Osborne Computers and C.W. Hair Design.

“We’ve been talking about redesigning the facade for a long time,” Kollar said.

He said he hasn’t submitted plans yet to the city, so work hasn’t begun.

The grant pays 75 percent of streetscape improvements, up to $15,000, and the city matches 25 percent of the cost. In addition, the grant pays for 75 percent of building renovations, and building owners match 25 percent of the cost. Selection criteria announced earlier for the projects includes projects that are visually prominent, have historic value, reduce blight, involve renovation of upper-story residential units, leverage the most private investment, create jobs, address code violations, and house businesses providing essential services to the community.

The city in April hired Nick Zabawsky of Orion Management Co. of Amsterdam for $15,000 for administrative services associated with the grant.

Cotter said she wasn’t sure if the projects need to go through a review by the city Planning Board. She said she will contact Zabawsky regarding that. She said she believes once they are reviewed by the state Office of Community Renewal and the state Historic Preservation, and go through any state Environmental Quality Review process if necessary, much of the paperwork would be done.